Competition Head sealing methods - what's not been used yet?

[GO 4LO]

Okay, guys,

How are the pullers out there keeping the head on the block at 150 psi plus? Is there anything out there beyond the 14mm studs / firerings setup?

What 'might' work but hasn't been tried yet? Like bigger studs - is there enough material in that area to try going to bigger studs? Different firering / o-ring setups? Any technical info here we might find helpful?

Chris

 

[Jim Fulmer]

Why not go to the tractor pullers, we are now doing to our trucks what they were doing in the early 80's... ... . nothing against anyone but those guys re-write the books.



Jim

 

[Bandit1]

good point, we are just now starting to use water to help cool our trucks down and they have been doing it for who knows how long, it began with them using something as simple as gravity flow of water dripped straight in the head. i know a guy that is a tractor puller i will pick his brain next time i see him.

 

[BillGotthelf]

Just weld the head to the block.

 

[CumminFast]

or lower the compression

 

[Jim Fulmer]

I hear you on the compression thing, but I like being about to just jump in the truck and darn near bump start it and drive it 400 miles round trip like I did today.





On the water deal, I feel like I have it figured out so to speak! Yes I do add Methanol for extra power at the events but realistically I just need the cooling.



I know in the real world (pullers) if they loose a water system they loose a piston, Were not there.



Jim

 

[HoleshotHolset]

99% of the engine setups in competitive pulling tractors out there would not be streetable whatsoever...



I'm with Jim on this one - if I can't jump in it and drive it on the street... it's not for me.



BUT, for strict competitive use - you sure can have some fun and not worry about the little things that keep you from driving it on the street.



Matt

 

[Forrest Nearing]

I want Cometic to make some MLS head gaskets for us!!!!



Forrest

 

[HoleshotHolset]

"MLS gaskets are a Multi Layer Steel gasket consisting of 3 layers of embossed steel for superior sealing ability with all aluminum, steel to aluminum or steel to steel applications. "



Sounds like what the VW TDI's run... they don't blow very easily... then again, there aren't many TDI's beyond 30psi...



Matt

 

[Forrest Nearing]

they're tough... and they're reusable. they're right up there w/ coppers as far as combustion sealing, but seal oil and water well... lots of OEM's are using them now.

 

[JGheen]

Originally posted by BillGotthelf

Just weld the head to the block.

That's the best sealing idea I have heard yet!

 

[cumminspwr01]

I have a few friends that drag race gassers and they keep telling me about the cometic gaskets. I've tried to contact them but to no avail. Does anybody know if they even make a head gasket for our trucks? Will it handle any more boost than the regular setups do without fire-rings or O-rings? I guess what I'm asking is it worth pursuing?

 

[Forrest Nearing]

they don't make gaskets for our truck.



Forrest

 

[CumminFast]

on the compression deal... I am all about keeping it streetable but all it takes is a little bit of ether on the air filter before ya hop in and take off.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

Originally posted by CumminFast

on the compression deal... I am all about keeping it streetable but all it takes is a little bit of ether on the air filter before ya hop in and take off.

just rig the ether up on a push button for trouble free starts



Forrest

 

[CumminFast]

yeah I want to get one of those tractor ether start deals and rig it up to intake at least before winter, but I am just too lazy.

 

[HoleshotHolset]

Before you run off and buy an ether setup...



Most of those kits are for the BIG displacement engines and shoot a cooresponding amount of ether into the engine.



A 6BT would need so little ether that you'd really have to crank that setup back quite a bit...



A gas soaked rag works quite well in starting a stubborn diesel...



Gotta wait for the grid heater or glow plugs to stop, though...



Matt

 

[Forrest Nearing]

if you're using ether, you can go ahead and ditch the grid heaters...



Forrest

 

[GO 4LO]

So at what compression level does ether become necessary? 14:1? 13:1?



Chris

 

[bmoeller]

Originally posted by HoleshotHolset

Before you run off and buy an ether setup...



Most of those kits are for the BIG displacement engines and shoot a cooresponding amount of ether into the engine.

Just get one from John Deere. Get one for a 4440 tractor. It only sprays when you push in on the button. Let go, it stops. They are pretty much standard anymore.



It uses the short ether cans. Solenoid pushes down on the the spray valve to inject it into the manifold.



They aren't the automatic setups.